Visit to a reception with the late Queen Elizabeth II (11-11-2004).
I will start with a quotation from Gilbert and Sullivan’s opera, The Pirates of Penzance: ‘For all our faults we love our Queen.’
The Queen in that case was Queen Victoria, but it is equally applicable to our late Queen Elizabeth II.
In the light of her recent sad death many of us are reminiscing on experiences with the Queen. Well, 2004 is a long time ago, but the memory of this event is still alive in me.
In 2004 I was still living in Düsseldorf, Germany, with my husband when it was announced that she would make a state visit to Germany, beginning in Berlin, on a very formal, presidential level, and then coming to Düsseldorf, the capital of Nord Rhein Westfalen, the second most important trading partner with the UK after the USA.
A few weeks before she arrived, I received an invitation to a reception for expats with her. You could have knocked me down with a feather! I was invited, because I had the chair of the Düsseldorf Anglo-German Club!
After my acceptance I received instructions of the venue and a pamphlet of eti- quette to be observed when meeting the Queen:
1 On the first meeting call her .’Your Majesty’ then. ‘ Mam ‘ to rhyme with ‘ jam’.
2 A curtsey was voluntary, thus not necessary (thank goodness, although I had practised a little, to the amusement of my husband !)
3 Only to talk when spoken to and then only one sentence, because she had many people to greet.
4 To avoid physical touch.
The queen was due to arrive at 10 a.m. but we had to be present for security checks, ID’s physical examination rather like going on a flight. We then had to lock up cameras, bags, coats etc., in lockers. Because of the intensive security measures, partners were not invited, since it would have been too lengthy. Invitees included representatives from other consulates, representatives from other organisation, the British Businessmen‘s Association, etc., also from the British School in Düsseldorf.
I had been approached by the WDR (TV station) to let a team spend the day with me to observe an English woman’s reactions on meeting Her Majesty. They came to our flat at 6 a.m. to observe us eating breakfast and ask questions, such as is an English breakfast the correct preparation for a meeting with the Queen?
I replied that my husband was Swiss and we eat muesli for breakfast! They also asked if it was the most important day of my life. I replied that it would certainly be unforgettable. More questions followed.
They then drove with us to the assembly rooms where the meeting took place. My husband then drove back home and fetched me afterwards.
I then joined the other invitees and waited for the Queen to arrive. We stood in a line and she greeted each one of us with the question, “What are you do- ing in Germany?” Her tone was very friendly. I mumbled something about working for Anglo-German relationships for 30 years to which she replied that it was a long time, and I moved on. My neighbour had established a British the- atre in Bonn, as German students of English must be conversant with English theatre. He replied that he had come to Germany to make the Germans laugh. A British prejudice is that the Germans lack humour. She then asked .’Have you just started?’ which was really funny.
After greeting everyone with Prince Phillip the Queen went on to her next commitment, and we invitees were given a buffet reception.
The TV team approached me again and asked about my impressions of the visit. Part of it was shown on the News that evening and I received a DVD which I still have, and have recently shown in a senior’s meeting at the St Martini Church and others added their reminiscences.
Jennifer Bransby.
Queen Elizabeth II visiting Germany in 2004
